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© F.Coakley ,
2001
[From Feltham's Tour, 1798]
BY the act at present under consideration of the British Parliament,(July, 1798), the following provisions are probably to take place, for the encouragement of the trade and the manufactures of the island, and for the prevention of smuggling —
So much of the act of 20 Geo. III. [see page 71] granting additional duties on certain importations into the island, and for better regulating the trade, and securing the revenues, as permits the exportation of British spirits from any ports in England to the island, is to be repealed; and a limited quantity of brandy and Geneva permitted to be imported, under a duty of 3s. per gallon, with certain restrictions.
An additional quantity of tobacco, under a duty of 3d. per pound, is to be permitted to be exported annually from England to the island.
The duty on British hops imported is to be annulled, and a duty ofl id. imposed on every pound imported into the island. The drawback of the whole duties on British hops to be allowed on exportation thereof to the island.
The quantity of wine imported to be limited, with an additional duty of 8l. per ton. (See page 71.)
Cotton yarn and cotton cloth, of the island manufacture, to be permitted, under certain restrictions, to be imported into Great Britain, without payment of any custom duty. But no cotton yarn, or cotton cloth, is to be permitted to be imported into the island from anyplace whatsoever but Great Britain.
A limited number of sheep to be permitted to be exported annually from England to the island; and the drawback of silk goods imported into the island from Great Britain to cease. This, I apprehend, is to be the basis of the act about to take place.
PAGE 4. — "The voyage of two days and two
nights.
Our author here writes as a tourist in August, 1797, sixty-four years ago. The excursionist of August, 1861, would describe his pleasant passage of five and a half or six hours. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's vessels are of a superior class, affording every accommodation to the numerous tourists who visit the Island in the summer months. They are, moreover, commanded and worked by officers and men of great skill, experience, and courtesy.
PAGE 5, LINE 8. — " The Country appeared," &c.
One generally acknowledged charm, in the features of our Island scenery, is the great variety of beauties contained in a small space. Although Mona is somewhat scantily clothed with woodland vesture, yet this seems to be amply atoned for, in the charming and ever-changing scenes, which the pedestrian or the artist may enjoy, as he climbs the mountain height, traverses the heath and gorse-clad hills, and winds his way through the wild and romantic glens. It may not be generally known that the late John Martin, Esq., K.L., was a frequent visitor to the Isle of Man, — painted, died, and was buried here. His remains now rest in the Cemetery of the Parish of Kirk Braddan.
PAGE 5. " Centrically situated," &c.
— 'In hoc medic cursu eat insula quae appellatur Mona." — Caesar's Commentaries,book V. The Isle of Man is also about the centre of the space occupied by the British Islands.
PAGE 14, LINE 7. — " The bishopric being estimated," etc.
By the Tithe Commutation Act, 2 Victoria, 1839, the proportion to be paid to the Bishop was £1515, which, added to the rent of the Glebe Lands of the Bishop(commonly called the Bishop's Domain) amounted to £1965 18s, 9d.
PAGE 128, LINE 10. — " He then went in state to the Chapel."
A handsome Church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, now occupies the place of the " Chapel " here mentioned. The order of proceedings at the present day is, in the main, the same as that described by Feltham.
PAGE 134. — " Onchan — Skillicorn."
It may here be worthy of mention, that the " Royal Old Wells," at Cheltenham," the Queen of Watering Places." were founded by one Captain Skillicorn, of Conchan (Kirk Onchan). He planted the magnificent avenue of elms, so much admired by visitors to that favourite place of resort. A portrait of this worthy adorns the large room at the Wells, and a small marble tablet to his memory is let into the south wall of the interior of St. Mary's Church.
So named from St. Maughold, or " Machutus," who succeeded Romulus in the Bishopric. — See foot note, page 14; and for a brief account of St. Maughold page 142.
PAGE 140, LINE 17. - " Cornah Bay."
Generally written "Kenna" or "Kenny," end pronounced ' Cornaa,"hence probably our author's orthography. The stream, which empties itself into the sea at this place, runs through one of the most lovely lithe glens in the Island. The pedestrian tourist should never pass through this parish without paying the" Glen of Ballaglass " a visit.
PAGE 141, LINE 25. " This in common with other Parishes," &c.
A commodious Schoolroom and Master's House have lately been built in this parish. The buildings are erected on a prominent site, at a considerable distance from the Church.
PAGE 142, LINE 8. — " The Church," &c.
This sacred and interesting edifice was last year newly roofed, and otherwise repaired. For an account of a " variety of curious things," which were discovered" during the dismantling of the building," see Oswald's Vestigia Appendix, page206; Vol. V of the Manx Society's Publications.
PAGE 145, LINE 8. — A rivulet,' &c.
This rivulet flows from the foot of North Barrule. Peeps of rare beauty are obtained in the course of a ramble along its banks. Its water is of excellent quality' and great purity. The Ramsey Water Works Company obtain their supply from a reservoir fed by this stream.
PAGE 143, LINE 21. — " Ramsay,"
Or; as it is now spelled, Ramsey, may still, in the words of our Tourist, be called " a small neat town." It has, however, much increased in size and in importance during the last fifteen or twenty years. The question of Harbour Improvement is still under consideration; and it is expected that "the Capital of the North" will shortly come in for her share of the much needed, and long promised help in this matter.
PAGE 144, LINE 10. — It is protected
by, &c.
The " Fort and cannon " here mentioned are no longer to be seen.
The present lighthouse at Ramsey will, it is to be hoped, be replaced by one of some architectural pretensions, when the contemplated " harbour improvements "are carried out.
Commensurate with the improvement in agriculture — so apparent in all parts of the Island — is that in dairy produce, particularly cheese. Very good cheese is now made, both in the Northern and Southern districts. The samples exhibited at the Isle of Man Agricultural Society's Meeting this year were highly commended by the judges.
PAGE 144, LINE 32. — The Chapel," &c.
In the year 1819 this Chapel was superseded by a more commodious edifice erected on the south side of the Market Place, and dedicated to St. Paul. The expense was defrayed by a public subscription And a grant of £300 from the" Incorporated Church Building Society." The " Old," or " Ballure Chapel," was suffered to fall into decay, until it became a roofless ruin. But through the praiseworthy exertions of the present chaplain, the Rev. William Kermode, and the liberality of subscribers, &c., it was thoroughly and beautifully restored Divine service is held here, during the summer months, at stated times The graveyard is still used, chiefly as a " place to bury strangers in." The situation of this little Chapel is peculiarly beautiful.
Collections are now made in most of the Parish Churches, and District Chapels once, and sometimes twice, a week.
PAGE 145, LINE 9. — Ramsey School House, &c.
Funds have lately been raised for the erection of suitable buildings for the" Grammar School," the old School House and " Court of Justice", having become so delapidated as to be untenantable. The present Master of the Grammar School, and Curate of St. Paul's, is the Rev. W. C. Sparrow.
PAGE 146, LINE 1. — "Maughold Churchyard "
Will henceforth be a noted spot as the last resting place of the remains of Lieutenant.General Sir Mark Cubbon, K.C.B., late Commissioner at Mysore.
PAGE 147, LINE 1. — " Trees thrive, &c.
The hill sides, and other favourable localities, have been extensively planted since Feltham's time. The drive from Ramsey to Sulby Bridge presents a such cession of well wooded, and carefully cultivated estates
PAGE 147, LINE 14. — " Glion-moar.
The " large Glen," now commonly called " Sulby Glen." Certainly the grandest piece of glen scenery in the Island.
The cultivation of flax has, (I believe), entirely ceased in the Isle of Man, and also the manufacture of snuff.
PAGE 148, LINE 16. — " Penny-Pot, '
Or " Beinn-y-phot, is in the Parish of Braddan.
PAGE 148, LINE 20.
The height of Snaefield is 2004 feet above the level of the
sea.[latest O/S has 2034]
PAGE 149, LINE 1. — " Claddagh,"
Or " Claddagh," the smooth grassy plains on the banks of a
river.
PAGE 149, LINE 14. — " The Churches,
&c.
A new Church was built in the year 1834. The pulpit and reading-desk were lately removed from their original position, in the centre of the church, to the North and South sides of the Chancel A beautiful stained-glass East window, erected to the Glory of God and in memory of the late Hon. Deemster Christian and his Wife, is thus opened out to view. Much praiseworthy attention has been paid to the internal fittings and ornamentation of this sacred edifice. A large addition has lately been made to the graveyard.
A School-house and Chapel of Ease, dedicated to St. Stephen, were built in Sulby in the Episcopate of Bishop Ward.
PAGE 151, LINE 17. — In Lezayre
Churchyard, &c.
There are still many remarkable instances of longevity in this
Parish.
PAGE 155, LINE 13. — " In remote
Parishes, &c.
English services now prevail in all the Parishes. "Manx Sunday`"
occurs income Parishes once a fortnight, in others once a month, and
so on. In many, Manx services have ceased altogether.
PAGE 155,LINE 22. — " The
Population,&c.
Emigration to the
Colonies has, during the last few years, much reduced the population
of the rural districts of the Island
PAGE 156. — " Kirk Andreas."
One of the best corn producing districts in the Island.
PAGE 157, Line 7. — " We trust,"
&c.
The Parish has now a very commodious Church. The internal
fittings are complete, and every attention paid to the comfort of the
congregation. A modern heating apparatus has lately been added.
PAGE 159, LINE 16. — " There is an
ancient monument," &c.
Another stands in the centre of an open space, adjoining the
Churchyard, on the West The Runic characters on this latter stone are
much defaced,
PAGE 160, LINE 26. — " Hazel nuts,
&c.
A similar deposit was lately found, in draining some peaty land, on
the estate of Castleward, in the parish of Braddan.
PAGE 161, LINE 28. — " The Church,
&c.
The present Church is built in the Southern corner of the Churchyard.
It is a conspicuous object from the sea, and is generally marked upon
the charts of the Irish Channel.
PAGE 162, LINE 15. — " The parochial
Schools, &c.
A new School and Master's House are in course of erection, upon a
site presented by W. Farrant, Esq., H.K., and J.P., of Ballamoar, in
this parish,
PAGE 166, LINE 10. — "Balaff:"
The village bears the same name as the parish, which our author has
correctly given at the head of this Chapter, viz., " Ballaugh ;"
probably a compound of" Balla " and " lough."
PAGE 166, LINE 23 — " . . . there is
only one other,&c.
There are two others, viz, Andreas and Bride.
PAGE 167, LINE 6. — " The Church, &c.
The new Church, built in the Episcopate of Bishop Ward (1833), is
situated about a mile South of the interesting edifice here
described.
PAGE 172, LINE 6. — " The house has been modernised.," &c.
Extensive additions and improvements have been made by our present Diocesan. By his Lordship's exertions, and the responsive liberality of his friends, was raised the beautiful Chapel at the East end of the Palace, in memory of the pious and sainted Bishop Wilson.
The present Church is large, and has, perhaps, some pretensions to the " Cathedral style," as described in a modern guide book. Part of the chancel of the old Church is still standing, near to Bishop Wilson's tomb.
PAGE 179, LINE 27, — "turnip tillage, &c.
Turnips, Mangel Wortzel, Carrots, &c., are now universally and successfully cultivated
The highly picturesque spot, here mentioned, is in the Parish of Kirk German. It is now planted, and otherwise beautified.
PAGE 181, LINE 13. — " a peculiar white marl, &c.
The finest specimen of the remains of the Irish Elk was found, some years since, in the Parish of Ballaugh It is now in the collection of the University of Edinburgh Its height is thirteen feet, the length of each horn about six feet, and the distance from tip to tip eight feet.
Dalby, Slieau-whallan, Kion-slieau
PAGE 190 LINE 15
Dalby, Slieau-whallan, Kion-slieau. Near Dalby Point there is a Chapel of Ease, a Parsonage, and a Schoolhouse.
Foxdale Mines are now successfully worked by a Company A clergyman is stationed here, and there is also a good school.
PAGE 191, LINE 3l.
Knock-aloe moar
PAGE 191, LINE 21.
" Glen darragh," or the " Vale of Oaks," contains some interesting
Druidical remains.
PAGE 195, LINE 10. — " The Church,"
&c.
A Church of much larger dimensions, and possessing some claims to
architectural style, was erected a few years since. The old
Churchyard is still used as a place of sepulture.
PAGE 195, LINE 27. — " Kirk Braddan,"
The town of Douglas still forms a part of the parish of Braddan. It now contains four churches -St. Matthew's, St. George's, St. Barnabas', and St. Thomas' . The last mentioned is a fine specimen of ecclesiastical architecture, from the design of Ewan Christian, Esq.
PAGE 196, LINE 23. — " The only road so
adorned.'
If our milestones can indeed
be called adornments, every road of any consequence in the Island is
now " so adorned."
PAGE 196, LINE 24. — " The Vicarage
House, &c.
The present commodious house occupies a site close to the one here
mentioned by Feltham.
PAGE 197, LINE 24. — " I had no
opportunity, &c. — Vide p. 226.
" I wish to remark here, that in going to the respective parishes I took down every inscription in every churchyard except one." The original manuscript in which these inscriptions are recorded is in the possession of Paul Bridson, Eaq.,(one of the most active and zealous members of the Manx Society.) The following extract from the manuscript explains why our Tourist' had no opportunity of taking the inscriptions in Braddan Churchyard." " Kirk Braddan. The violence of the weather; three journies of 16 out (sic) and 16 miles back, ineffectual; for I could not take the inscriptions in this Churchyard. I left a commission for it to be done, but this, after two attempts, was given up. — J. FELTHAM." Feltham's" particular friend" furnished him with an incorrect copy of a very interesting inscription, which is still to be read, on a flat oblong stone, about eight yards from the S. W. corner of the Church. The following is correct: —
Optimi Quiqe Minime Diurnant
EDWARD ARTHURE,
Aged 13 years 5 months; Dyed 26 December, 1755.
Benevolent reader, are's thou a parent, let thy heart sympathise with
parents,
and feel with them for the uncertain loan of a hopeful child;
But, would's" thou know thy duty and revere the ways of Providence
in
such dispensations,
Read and consider the Sacred Page of Wisdom, 4th chaps., 7, 8,
9,10,11, 12, 13 and 14 As
Go thy way, be silent, learn submission, and adore.
THOMAS AND MARY ANN ARTHURE,
Parentes Maesti posuerunt.
An interesting " Runic Cross " was discovered two years since by some workmen engaged in making some alteration. It, with some others, is now placed upon a mound in the middle of the Churchyard.
PAGE 199, LINE 22. — " .... streets narrow," &c.
The new parts of the town, which are very extensive, form a pleasing contrast in these respects to the old town.
PAGE 199, LINE 27. — " Coarse paper is manufactured," &c.
There are still two paper mills in the parish, worked by water and steam power, one on the estate of " Balla. oates," the other on " Cronk-rule "
PAGE 199, LINE 27. — " .... a linen
manufactory," &c.
For many years the manufacture of linen has been discontinued at the
factory here mentioned. The present extensive works are applied to
the making of sail. cloth and fishing nets. Both water and steam
power are applied. The present spirited and respected proprietor,
William Fine Moore, Esq., gives employment to about 200 hands. For
the accommodation of his people he has built quite a village of
superior cottages, &c., and, not unmindful of their mental and
spiritual advantages, he has adorned the village of Cronkbourne with
a beautiful schoolroom, mistress's rooms, &c. This schoolroom is
licensed for public worship, and a service held therein every Sunday
evening at half past six, and on other occasions. The face of the
country around Tromode and Cronkbourne must be much changed for the
better since the visit of Feltham. The valley, looking towards the
mountains, is exceedingly beautiful. The fort, spoken of at the
bottom of this page, is not now in existence: the vignette
engraving thereof, in the title page, is therefore the more
valuable.
PAGE 200, LINE 16. — " The sick have no
hospitals," &c.
At Douglas there are a Hospital, Dispensary, and a " House of
Industry," all supported by voluntary contributions. Benefit
societies are now general throughout the Island, not only in the
towns, but also in all the country parishes, and districts.
PAGE 200, LINE 25. — " Douglas sands.' &c.
These sands have deteriorated during the course of many years, in consequence of the indiscriminate use of the sand for building purposes. Every effort has of late been made to protect them, and with some beneficial result.
PAGE 203, LINE " The Packet,
'&c.
Vide note on Post-office, page 69.
PAGE 205, LINE 16. — " Karraghan."
At the foot of this mountain is situated the Chapel of St. Luke, commonly called — ' Keeil Abbane," being built upon the site of an ancient church of that name.
PAGE 205, LINE 27. - -" Water."
This town, Ramsey, and Peel, are now well supplied with water. The establishment of waterworks has abolished the primitive institution described by our author
PAGE 209, LINE 1. — " Chin-droghad,"
Or Kione-droghad, composed of " Kione," a Head or end, and " Droghad," a bridge.
PAGE 209, LINE18. — " The Church," &c,
The present new Parish Church is a conspicuous and pleasing object from distant surrounding localities, as well as from the sea. A pretty parsonage and good schoolroom, are provided for this parish.
PAGE 211, LINE 15. — " Public Houses,' &c.
In the present day, the number of public-houses — although greatly in excess of the positive requirements of the place — is much lessened
A beautiful village, and so changed since Feltham's time, that his description gives not the most remote idea of its extent, general appearance, &c.
Vide " Oswald's Vestigia," Vol. V., of the Manx Society's publications, page 62.
PAGE 218, LINE 3. — " Port Erin, &c.
A lovely spot A commodious Hotel affords every accommodation to tourists.
PAGE 218, LINE 14. — " The Lead Mines of Breda."
Now called Bradda. The mines are now worked by an enterprising company, and are expected to prove remunerative to the shareholders. Remarkably pure copper ore has been obtained. The magnificent rock scenery about here will excite the admiration of every beholder.
PAGE 220, LINE 6. — " Fairy
Hill."
Vide " Oswald's Vestigia," pp. 52-53; and fig. 1, plate 8 ibid.
PAGE 223, LINE 18. — " The Vicarage
House,"&c.
The " Good Bishop's" house is now condemned, and a more convenient
one in course of erection.
PAGE 223, LINE 1. — "Apartments in it."
&c.
Governor Smelt was the last who occupied them.
PAGE 240, LINE 35. — " .... it has no
Vicarage House,"
There is now a very good one.
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Any comments, errors or omissions
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